B’nai B’rith International supports the June 9 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote, which imposes further sanctions on Iran to curtail its nuclear and ballistic missile program development. The measure passed 12-2 with Lebanon abstaining and Turkey and Brazil voting “no.” While pleased with the outcome, B’nai B’rith continues to push individual member states to pass tough bilateral sanctions, targeting Iran’s energy sector in particular.

“We welcome the latest UNSC sanctions on Iran and hope they will be effective in pressuring Tehran to stop enriching uranium,” B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick said. “With this in mind, we caution that yet stronger measures may need to be implemented in the future if Iran continues to defy the international community.”

The Security Council sanctions impose financial and travel restrictions on approximately 40 Iranian entities and individuals linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

New sanctions would also include cargo inspection to and from Iran, and sanction its shipping lines. They would also expand and strengthen an arms embargo, toughen financial sanctions, and place a new emphasis on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. The vote was the fourth time the Security Council has imposed measures on Iran to halt its nuclear ambitions.

In a letter sent to the U.N. on March 5, Glick and B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin wrote: “Only sanctions that are comprehensive and deeply impactful retain the possibility of preventing a paramount danger to international peace and security.”

Although B’nai B’rith hopes the measures voted on will be effective, the international community should have a plan in place in case Iran continues to not comply with UNSC resolutions.

“The international community must be dedicated to implementing these sanctions for them to be effective at halting Iran’s ‘nuclearization’,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “Harsh and thorough sanctions need the full support of the international community, to be followed by decisive international measures.”